Society for New Communications Research Issues Call for 2010 Fellows
November 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment
November 11, 2009 – San Jose, Calif. – The Society for New Communications Research, (http://www.sncr.org), a global nonprofit 501c3 research and education foundation and think tank dedicated to exploring the latest developments in new media and communications and their effect on business, media, culture, and society, is pleased to announce a call for 2010 Fellows. The application deadline is December 11th, 2009.
The Society for New Communications Research Fellowship is a year-long, volunteer-based program. All futurists, scholars, technologists, business leaders, professional communicators and members of the media from around the globe are invited to apply.
Applicants are asked to complete the online application, which is available at http://sncr.wufoo.com/forms/2010-sncr-fellowship-application/
Applicants must provide a detailed summary of their professional and academic backgrounds, three professional/academic references, and a project proposal that is in line with the SNCR’s research/education roadmap. SNCR seeks proposals related to:
• Best Practices for Social Media Policy Development
• Internal Uses for Social Media
• Emerging Social Ad Platforms and Privacy Issues
• Social CRM
• Social eCommerce
• Interactive TV (ITV)
• Mobile Trends and Developments
• Social Data
• Online Video
Applicants who are selected will collaborate with other SNCR Fellows on a volunteer basis on original research and educational programs. The fellowship program is highly competitive. A maximum of 12 Fellows will be accepted for these one-year (renewable) volunteer-based fellowships. In 2009 only one in four applicants was selected.
Those interested are invited to complete the online application at http://sncr.wufoo.com/forms/2010-sncr-fellowship-application/.
About the Society for New Communications Research
The Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) is a global nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and education foundation and think tank dedicated to the advanced study of the latest developments in new media and communications, and their effect on traditional media and business models, communications, culture and society. The Society creates a bridge between the academic community and practitioners using these news tools and technologies. SNCR’s Fellows include a leading group of futurists, scholars, business leaders, professional communicators, members of the media and technologists from around the globe – all collaborating together on research initiatives, educational offerings and the establishment of best practices. For more information, visit http://sncr.org or call +1 (408) 266-9658.
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Media Contact:
Society for New Communications Research
(408) 266-9658
info@sncr.org
Despite the Recession, 94 Percent of Enterprises Continue to Invest in Online Communities & Social Media
October 7, 2009 | 7 Comments
New Study from Deloitte, Beeline Labs and the Society for New Communications Research Indicates Organizations are Not Tapping Social Media’s Full Potential
NEW YORK, October 7, 2009 – A second annual survey of companies sponsoring online communities shows signs of increasing maturation as enterprises continue to invest in social media tools and online communities. According to the survey, conducted by Deloitte, Beeline Labs and the Society for New Communications Research, 94 percent of the respondents indicated that they plan to maintain or increase investment in their communities, while only six percent plan to decrease investment. However, while enterprises are effectively using these tools to engage with customers, partners and employees for brand discussions and idea generation, the survey also indicates that organizations continue to struggle with harnessing social media’s full potential.
The “2009 Tribalization of Business Survey” evaluates the perceived potential of online communities and identifies how enterprises believe they may better leverage them. The survey measured the responses of over 400 companies, including Fortune 100 organizations, which have created and maintain online communities today. The communities ranged from fewer than 100 members to more than one million members.
“Despite risks associated with participating in online communities, the internal costs of community formation and management, and the fact that we are in the midst of a profound recession, organizations’ continued and enhanced investment in online communities underscores the perceived potential for the value that they may provide to the enterprise,” said Ed Moran, director of product innovation, Deloitte Services LP. “Social media and communities are expected to continue to play a significant role in the way in which companies are interacting with employees, customers, partners and the larger business ecosystem, thereby redefining the very edge of the corporation.”
Of the companies surveyed, a majority agreed that increasing word-of-mouth (38 percent), customer loyalty (34 percent) and brand awareness (30 percent) continue to be the top business objectives of online communities, followed by idea generation (29 percent) and improved customer support quality (23 percent). However, in the majority of companies surveyed, marketing continues to be the primary driver of online communities, resulting in a significant gap between community goals and the organizations’ capability to fully leverage these communities on an enterprise wide basis.
Market Shows Signs of Maturation
Several data points indicate continued maturation of the enterprise’s use of communities and social media. For instance, this year’s survey pointed to an evolution in the way in which companies are tracking and engaging with both active and inactive members. While the number of active users and their level of participation have been considered the top measures of success for an online community, this year survey respondents are paying close attention to non-active users or “lurkers” – people who observe the community, but don’t participate in the discussion. Thirty-two percent of respondents are capturing data on how these individuals derive value from the community.
Additionally, 20 percent of survey respondents have set up formal “ambassador” programs, which give outsiders preferential treatment in return for being more active in the community. Thirty-nine percent of the survey respondents also indicated that more full-time people are being deployed to manage the communities.
“While we are seeing signs of maturation in this year’s study, there are still plenty of companies who do not realize the power of communities, and others who have not yet figured out the proper approach for leveraging communities as part of their business,” said Francois Gossieaux, partner with Beeline Labs and a senior fellow with the Society of New Communications Research. “Businesses are truly become social again, and companies should look to leverage the collective wisdom of their employees, customers and partners in order to innovate faster, reduce costs, and bolster their bottom lines.”
Rethinking Community Success
According to the survey, the biggest obstacles to creating a successful community – getting people to join (24 percent), stay engaged (30 percent) and keep returning (21 percent) – can be easily remedied through partnering and new management practices. The study indicates that very few companies, however, are taking the steps necessary to overcome these challenges.
While 58 percent of respondents evaluated partnering with existing communities, complementary vendors or end users when developing their community, 55 percent of the companies that evaluated a partnership did not actually partner.
Furthermore, the survey also revealed significant gaps between community goals (such as generating word of mouth, customer loyalty and brand awareness) and how success is being measured. The top two analytics for measuring success are the number of active users (34 percent) and how often people post/comment (32 percent), indicating that participation is still considered to be the biggest measure of success. Potentially more useful analytics, however, such as increase in search engine rank and citations/links on other sites, are less often utilized, highlighting a mismatch between the desired outcome and how that outcome is measured.
“To realize the full benefit of social media and online communities, business leaders must move beyond viewing them as “bolt-ons” to their corporations,” added Moran. “Companies need to integrate the new information flows associated with the communities with those that already exist within their companies. New management strategies and practices will be critical, including redefining the scope and role of alliances as well as the overall boundary of corporations.”
For additional insight on the Tribalization of Business findings, please visit: www.deloitte.com/us/2009tribalizationstudy.
About Deloitte
As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and Deloitte Services LP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.
About Beeline Labs
For more information about Beeline Labs visit www.beelinelabs.com.
About the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR)
For more information about SNCR, visit http://www.sncr.org.
Social Media Helps SAP Outperform Expectations in the Downturn
April 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Addressing the Society for New Communications Research (SNCR) and the Social Media in Marketing & Advertising, Don Bulmer, VP, Industry & Influencer Relations, Global Communications, SAP explains how Social Media has contributed to both the top line and the bottom line
- improving the scale of customer relations at lower costs through greater streaming content and interactivity.
- minimizing event and travel costs through virtualization.
- replacing more expensive advertising campaigns with more effective integrated marketing services that consists of listening, engagement, partnership programs, and social applications.
Our thanks to Rich Reader for providing SNCR with this video excerpt.
Steady Progress in Social Media at Intel
April 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
By way of introducing his role to a discussion panel at a joint colloquium of the Society for New Communications Research and the Social Media in Marketing and Adverting meetup group on March 25, 2009, Ken Kaplan (Broadcast and New Media Manager at Intel Corporation) spoke about priorities for social media at Intel. Since 2005, educating Intel employees about how to improve their job performance through the adoption of social media tools and practices has been a corporate policy, and that policy is gaining in strength. In the face of declining operating budgets, social media has become more highly relied upon than ever to listen to customers and to participate in their concerns. Similarly, virtual and interactive launches are on the rise, and gaining customer appreciation.
Education, Collaboration, & Innovation @ Intel using Social Media
April 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
By Rich Reader
At a general meeting of the Society for New Communications Research, Jen McClure asks the panelists to give a view into education, collaboration, and innovation.
Ken E. Kaplan says that the silos remain present & visible, but that SM facilitates cross-pollenation. Individual pioneers and experts transport early stage thought between groups. The desire to contact and invite staff to events in different groups spurs further innovation.
The “Center of Excellence” manages the traffic for education in the proper use of Intel blogs, which are branded content. Over 500 people have taken classes in the “Digital IQ” curriculum.
Intel’s official “Guidelines for Social Media” were first published in December 2008 ( http://www.intel.com/sites/sitewide/en_US/social-media.htm ).
Education is mandated for bloggers who publish from Intel to the outside world. Ken describes the curriculum as it has been segmented across different levels of expertise, similar to university course enumeration.
Society for New Communications Research Announces 2008 Fellows
January 28, 2008 | 1 Comment
Palo Alto, Calif. – January 28, 2008 – The Society for New Communications Research, a global, nonprofit think tank focused on the latest developments in media and communications, today announced its 2008 Fellows. These new Fellows join the Society’s existing group of business leaders, scholars, professional communicators, members of the media, futurists and technologists from around the globe. The Society’s Fellows collaborate on original research and educational programs focused on the advanced study of emerging trends and developments in media and communications, and their effect on business, professional communications, media and society.
The 2008 SNCR Fellows include Michael Adolph, a vice president at Fleishman-Hillard Digital; Susan Getgood, principal of GetGood Strategic Marketing Inc., Mark Hannah, an account supervisor, corporate and public affairs at Edelman; Meghan Hindman, a vice president at Dorland Global Public Relations with expertise in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry; Nehul Jagdish Kumar, a journalist with new media expertise based in India; Emily Metzgar a doctoral student in media and public affairs at Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication; David Phillips, a PR expert based in the UK and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations; Kaye Sweetser, Ph.D., APR, an assistant professor of public relations at the University of Georgia in the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication; Dr. Mihaela Vorvoreanu, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Clemson University; Brian Solis, principal of FutureWorks and John Yunker, founder of Byte Level Research.
The SNCR also named seven additional Senior Fellows, including Paul Benjou, vice president/director of strategic development, Datran Media; Adrian Chan of Gravity7, a leading thinker on social media and social software design; Francois Gossieaux, president and partner, MarketHum and partner, Corante; Steven L. Lubetkin, APR, Fellow, PRSA and managing partner of Professional Podcasts LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lubetkin Communications. LLC; Albert Maruggi, president of Provident Partners and host of the Marketing Edge podcast; Danny O. Snow, an expert on new publishing technologies and Paavo Vasala, a communications professional currently conducting his research at the University of Oulu, Finland, for his Ph.D.
During 2008, the SNCR Fellows will focus on a wide variety of research initiatives, ranging from exploring the ROI of online press releases to researching the link between customer care and brand in the age of social media, the growing influence of social media in politics and public affairs, web globalization, new trends in the publishing industry, how the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are using social media and new communications, user interaction with social media technologies, new metrics for emerging media, and best practices for using social media in public relations and marketing communications.
The Fellows will also participate in the Society’s Education Program, which is designed to provide valuable education and training opportunities to educators and students at colleges and universities, as well as continuing education for communications professionals on social media and new communications. In addition, several of these Fellows will be featured speakers and instructors at the SNCR’s upcoming New Communications Forum (http://www.newcommforum.com), which will be held April 22-25, 2008 in Sonoma County, Calif. This event is the premier conference that brings together thought leaders and decision makers to discuss the impact of social media and new communications on media, professional communications, business, culture and society.
“More than 50 outstanding individuals have participated in the Society’s unique fellowship program since its inception in 2005,” said Jen McClure, executive director, SNCR. “They represent an incredible depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in the field of media and communications, and we are extremely fortunate to have them participating in our organization.”
About the Society for New Communications Research
The Society for New Communications Research is a global nonprofit 501(c)(3) think tank dedicated to the advanced study of new communications tools, technologies and emerging modes of communication, and their effect on traditional media, professional communications, business, culture and society. The Society’s Fellows include more than three dozen futurists, scholars, business leaders, professional communicators, members of the media and technologists from around the globe. In addition, the Society’s members include a Vendor Council with representatives from more than a dozen leading technology companies and Organizational Affiliates comprising industry associations, research organizations and other leading think tanks. For more information about the Society for New Communications Research, visit http://www.sncr.org or call +1 (650) 331-0083.
SNCR to Partner with Joseph Jaffe on “Conversational Marketing” Research Project
February 1, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Society for New Communications Research is delighted to announce that we are conducting our first Social Media Survey in conjunction with Joseph Jaffe. The findings of this research will be used in his new book, Join the Conversation, which will be published in this summer. We believe this study is unique in terms of its depth and particular focus and perspective.
We invite you to be a part of this conversation by taking part in this research project. Completion of the survey should take about 15 minutes. Your responses will be kept confidential by our research partner (Twisurveys, Inc.). Should you wish to do so, you can also volunteer for a more in-depth interview with Joseph Jaffe by including your name and address at the end of the survey.
To thank you for your time and participation, we would be happy to provide you with the executive summary of our research findings and an invitation to attend the Society for New Communications Research Symposium in Boston in December, where Joseph Jaffe and SNCR Research Fellows will discuss this research.
Introduction to the Survey:
New communications tools are changing the relationships between organizations, employees and consumers. They’ve enabled the creation of virtual markets and new relationships between individuals and brands. Some organizations are initiating and participating in conversations with their customers, employees, partners and industries. This is referred to in this survey as “conversational marketing.â€Â
Purpose of the survey:
To assess the awareness and knowledge of senior marketers of conversational marketing and their priorities for including it in their marketing and communications strategies and measurement.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY HERE NOW.
Thank you for your time and participation.
SNCR to Co-produce Bay Area Third Thursday Event Series
January 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The Society for New Communications Research is delighted to announce that it has been invited, along with Social Media Club. to be a co-producer of the popular Bay Area Third Thursday Meetup, by TT founders Mike Manuel, Giovanni Rodriguez, Phil Gomes and Jeremy Pepper.
In January, we met at Shine SF in San Francisco. The event featured a panel discussion about the social media press release. Panelists included SNCR Fellows Shel Holtz and Tom Foremski, as well as Brian Solis of FutureWorks PR, and Joel Tesch from BusinessWire. The discussion was moderated by Chris Heuer of Social Media Club.
Shel Holtz recorded the event for a podcast. Listen to it here.
In February, Third Thursdays will feature a discussion about monitoring and measurement of social media. Why is it important to monitor social media and consumer generated content? What are the tools and services available? What differentiates them? How do you know which one is right for you? How do you measure influence in this vast and continuously growing mediasphere? Which metrics really matter? Where should you start? These are just some of the questions we’ll be asking our panel of experts. What are yours? Visit our wiki and share your thoughts and questions and please join us on February 15th in Palo Alto, CA for a great conversation!
NewComm Review January Issue is Live
January 16, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Check out the latest issue of New Communications Review. This month we feature articles by SNCR Fellows Andy Abramson, Elizabeth Albrycht, John Cass, Shel Holtz and Tom Abate as well as Vendor Council member Jim Nail and guest authors Ron Muns and Dr. Walter Carl.
3rd Annual New Communications Forum 2007 to be Held March 7-9 in Las Vegas – Register Now!
January 8, 2007 | 1 Comment
REGISTER TODAY AND SAVE!
The Society for New Communications Research is pleased to invite you to join us for the third annual New Communications Forum, March 7-9, 2007 at the Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev.
NewComm Forum is the premier conference that brings together industry leaders from around the globe to explore the impact of social media on professional communications, business and traditional media.
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever! The SNCR has partnered with Lawrence Ragan Communications to bring you the most comprehensive conference yet.
Choose from 28 interactive sessions in four conference tracks focusing on:
· Internal Communications
· Public Relations
· Advertising & Marketing
· New Media & Journalism
Don’t miss the opening keynote with David Weinberger, co-author, Cluetrain Manifesto
Luncheon Keynote panel moderated by Jen McClure with Steve Crescenzo & Jeremy Wright
Closing Keynote by Shel Holtz
… and our world renowned conference faculty of instructors, speakers & panelists:
Tom Abate, John Bell, Elisa Camahort, John Cass, Jamie Chabra, Jeff De Cagna, Todd Defren, Andrea Eckerle, Kimberly A. Fabrizio, Tom Foremski, Paul Gillin, Eileen Gittins, Josh Hallett, Chris Heuer, Neville Hobson, Shel Israel, Dan Karleen, Rob Key, Kathy Klotz-Guest, David Kligman, JD Lasica, Benjamin Levy, Dr. Bernard Luskin, Albert Maruggi, Jim Nail, Brian Oberkirch, Katie Delahaye Paine, David Parmet, Shoba Purushothaman, Giovanni Rodriguez, Joel Richman, Gordon Rudow, Zane Safrit, Eric Schwartzman, Ted Shelton, Brian Solis, Lisa Stone, David Strom, Laura Sturaitis, Carol Thomas, Jeffrey Treem, Stephen Turcotte, Kami Watson Huyse, Debbie Weil, David Weinberger, Jeremy Wright and Linda Zimmer
Learn how to create a blog, wiki, podcast, videocast and create a comprehensive social media program with our intensive, hands-on pre-and post-conference workshops.
Get hands-on tutorials & demos of the latest tools and technologies from the vendors at our Conference Expo. (To sponsor/exhibit the Forum, contact bens@ragan.com)
Visit www.newcommforum.com to see the entire conference program and register online, or call 800.493.4867
Special discounts for SNCR members, New Communications Forum alumni & Ragan customers!
NewComm Review readers, NewComm Forum alumni and SNCR members save $100! (Use discount code NCR611).
Click here for more information on joining the SNCR.
Don’t miss out – register today to join us at NewComm Forum ’07!
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